AN alcoholic accidentally killed a close friend while trying to hit his own brother.

Derek Szostok suffered a fractured neck after William Lynch, known locally as Billy, swung for his brother but instead “punched or pushed” his friend, who fell backwards banging his head, a court heard.

He underwent a 10-hour operation for the neck injury but suffered a fatal stroke and his life support machine was turned off four days later on August 30.

Lynch, aged 41, sat in court with his head bowed while his barrister told of his grief and remorse.

"The defendant and Mr Szostock regarded each other almost as akin to father and son, and when in hospital Mr Szostock spoke of 'his son' and loved him in that role,” said Richard English, defending.

"They were truly great friends and beyond that. While nothing can come close to the loss of a brother and member of your family the loss Mr Lynch bears is very great.

“He has not only lost a loved friend but he bears the burden of having been the cause of that and that is a very heavy burden for anyone to have.

"It has scarred him and he will bear that scar for the rest of his life.”

Lynch, of Morseby Close, Leigh, had been due to face trial today on a charge of manslaughter but he earlier changed his plea and appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence.

Jailing him for four years and three months, Judge Mark Brown said the 62-year-old victim, described as "a kind soul", had intervened previously in a fight between the brothers and suffered an eye injury.

"On this occasion you swung a blow at your brother but struck Mr Szostok instead and he fell backward and as a result banged his head,” he said.

"I accept you did not intend to hit him and there was no animosity directed towards him. Your actions were reckless."

Andrew O'Bryne, prosecuting, said that Lynch and the victim lived in the same block of flats and regularly socialised and drank together, beer being their "favourite tipple".

On August 25 last year Lynch and his brother Andrew, for whom he was working as a labourer, went for a drink that afternoon after work and that led to an impromptu party at Lynch's first-floor flat.

There was a flow of people at the party who had conflicting recollections of what happened, but the brothers began arguing and Lynch, the worse for drink, became agitated and shouted that everyone should leave.

"It would appear that the failure of those present to leave had the consequence of the defendant completely losing his temper,” said Mr O'Bryne.

“He threw a coffee table into the air, put his foot through his television screen and then physically attacked his brother."

The fight in the lounge spilled out onto the landing and Mr Szostok intervened to separate them.

Lynch punched or pushed him and he fell back and banged his head.

An ambulance was called and Lynch told the operator, "I have hit my neighbour hard, he's paralysed. I didn't mean it."

In a statement read out in court, the victim's sister, Marie, spoke of their loss, which followed a number of other tragic losses.

She said: "He was a beautiful person inside and out. He had his flaws, as do we all, but he was a kind soul, often described as a good lad and always there for his family.

"He was kind, loving, loyal and the life and soul of every family party. We will miss him forever."

Mr English said that Lynch had been an alcoholic since the death of his father in 2001 but has not drunk since the incident and has promised his mum not to drink again after his release from his first prison sentence.